John Partridge & Scarlett Strallen to star in revival of A Chorus Line at the London Palladium

Principal casting has been announced for the forthcoming West End transfer of the Tony Award-winning revival of A Chorus Line, which opens at the London Palladium on 19th February 2013 with previews from 5th February. 

The cast will feature John Partridge as Zach, Scarlett Strallen as Cassie, Leigh Zimmerman as Sheila and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Diana.

The show takes a behind-the-scenes look at 17 hopefuls auditioning for just eight places in a new Broadway musical. A Chorus Line has a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Date, with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. Its famous score includes numbers such as "I Hope I Get It", "Sing!" and, most memorably, "One (Singular Sensation)".

The revival is directed by Bob Avian, who also helmed the 2006 Tony-nominated Broadway production. Avian was original director Michael Bennett's long-term collaborator and his co-choreographer on the original production.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose Really Useful Group owns the Palladium, said: "I am delighted to welcome A Chorus Line into the London Palladium. This classic Broadway production has not been seen in the West End for almost 35 years. Marvin Hamlisch was a great friend and supporter in my early career and I can think of no more fitting tribute to him than this major revival."

John Partridge, best known for his role as Christian Clarke in EastEnders, has appeared in numerous musical theatre productions including Cats, Starlight Express, Tommy, Grease, The Drowsy Chaperone, Rent and Miss Saigon. He is currently one of the presenters of the National Lottery programme and he joined Lloyd Webber, Charlotte Church and Sheila Hancock as a judge on BBC1's Over The Rainbow.

Scarlett Strallen is currently starring as Kathy in the West End production of Singin' in the Rain, for which she received an Olivier Award nomination. Her previous theatre work includes Clara in Passion at the Donmar Warehouse, the title role in Mary Poppins in the West End and on Broadway and Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Palladium.

Leigh Zimmerman has appeared twice in the West End production of Chicago playing Velma Kelly and in 2005 she was Olivier nominated for her role as Ulla in The Producers at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Her Broadway credits include The Will Rogers Follies, Crazy For You and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt was most recently seen playing Gypsy Rose Lee in Leicester Curve’s production of Gypsy. She also played the lead role of Alex in Flashdance in the West End. She also played the lead role of Maria in the international tour of West Side Story.

Visit www.achoruslinelondon.com for more information and to book tickets.

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